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57 of 58 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Their best and most musically mature album yet..., June 8, 2000
First of all, I am a very avid fan of both Depeche Mode and Alan Wilder (as in his work both in DM and Recoil), so do not make the assumption that I am not aware of Wilder's contributions to DM's repertoire in the past. I find him to be an impressive musical talent without whom DM probably could not have survived. But now both Wilder and the band have progressed to the point where they can now do things beyond anything they did together. Second of all, this album is perhaps the most musically mature DM have ever been, even including their previous two albums "Violator" and "Songs of Faith and Devotion." "Ultra" is the best album DM have ever produced. Between Martin Gore's intelligent and thoughtful songwriting, and David Gahan's soulful vocals (with some help from Martin on a few songs), this collection of songs is the album that got me into Depeche Mode and to this day remains my favorite.-"Barrel of a Gun": The opening track is perhaps the most edgy, and ranks up there with songs like "I Feel You," and "Rush." The guitars are very raw and the rhythm is very pulsing. This song is the kind of song to bang your head to in a goth club. The vocals punchy and aggressive, this is one of DM's best singles. -"The Love Thieves": Now this is a very sad and kinda jazzy song. It was featured in the TV show "La Femme Nikita" and was used very expertly to portray a brooding character. Very appropriate, and the song just fits those moods of sad solitude. The kind of song to listen to after a bitter breakup. It's sadness is the type that just might uplift your spirits... -"Home": Beautiful is all I have to say about this song. Martin's vocals are great, and the use of a string quartet to close out the song adds that lovely ambience. A very pleasant and beautiful song. -"It's No Good": The breakthrough single. When I first heard this song, I at first thought DM was some brand new band with that Zoo-TV image that U2 cultivate in the early '90's. Not too far off, except this song revels in its dancehall beats and sonic darkness. This is the song that started my obssession with DM, and it will forever remain my second favorite song by them (next to "Enjoy the Silence"). -"Useless": Tin Simenon's influence can be heard especially on this track, as it is very reminiscent of Curve, another band Tim has worked with. A great song. -"Sister of Night": Now this song is a guilty pleasure. It is perhaps Gahan's best vocal performance on the album, and ironically it is the last song he ever performed while still under the influence of drugs. While it is wonderful that his much publicized bout with heroin is over after this song, there is still something to be said about the passion in his voice on this song. -"Freestate": Another favorite of mine. The guitars are very edgy, and the use of acoustic slide is just impressive. A very underrated song that should've been a single. -"The Bottom Line": Gore's other vocal on the album, and probably the closest DM will ever get to recording a country song, and it's still based in their distinguishably gothic synthesized style. A qunadary of a song, but still worthy of DM's talents. -"Insight": The return of that gospel sound that made "Condemnation" and "Get Right With Me" great, trimmed down to an inspirational closer that ends the album on an upnote towards DM's future without Wilder, without Gahan's drug problems, and without the obstacles of arrogant youth. Only the clear road of musical excellence and mature progression. The instrumental breaks, "Uselink," "Jazz Thieves," and the hidden track, "Junior Painkiller" (which can be heard in it's full version as the B-side to "Barrel of a Gun") are reminiscent of the interludes from "Violator," but with that atmosphere that surrounds this album with musical passion. "Ultra" is without a doubt the best album DM have ever released, both in terms of the songs, the music, and the band itself. This album is one of the best ever produced...period. To those who miss Alan Wilder...listen to Recoil's albums...they're also great, but don't think he made DM what it was. DM was a combination of people, and when one person leaves, they readjust the combination into something else...and that something else is this jewel of an album. "Ultra" Cool!
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27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolute perfection, April 14, 2004
Quite simply, this is one of the best albums ever made. You'd have to be crazy to love Depeche Mode and not think this album is one of the pinnacles of their career. This album is as good in every way as Violator - if not better. There isn't one bad track. As with all their albums, there is such a plethora of moods and sounds throughout, yet it all contains a subtle dark quality that no one pulls off quite like DM. This has remained one of my favorite all-time CDs since its release. Three of the absolute best songs ever made appear here: "Home," "Useless," and the much underrated "Freestate." "Home" is one of the most beautiful songs ever written, giving me tingles still today with its breathtaking chorus, and is Martin's best vocal performance to date. "Useless" is just brilliant, with trippy synths, great guitar work, and great lyrics. "Freestate" is one of the most unique DM songs ever, using slide guitar, a sweeping intro that induces images of a lonely desert highway, a kickin' electronic beat, and some of the best lyrics to ever grace a song (I could almost swear it was written just for me). If you can't get past the lack of Alan Wilder or the goth look Dave was sporting during this album, then you truly are missing out on a true masterpiece. This album has helped me convert many many friends into DM fans. I couldn't live without it.
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17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Sometimes it takes a while, January 5, 2006
I'll admit that I hated this when it first came out. In fact, I hated it for many years. I hated it until Playing the Angel came out and I was able to put this release in context. I suppose Violator and Songs of Faith and Devotion are to blame. Ultra is a lot like the cigarette after sex. The excitement was over after Songs of Faith and Devotion. Wow, those are a couple of intense albums. It's easy to dismiss Ultra as the also-ran for Depeche Mode.
The fact is, though, that after listening to this again and again, something occurs to you. Depeche Mode had moved on and perhaps you hadn't yet. It's hard to let go of the past, especially with music. We tend to want to cement ourselves into an era that we truly enjoyed. That doesn't mean that we should dismiss the future. After Alan Wilder's departure and Dave's well documented battle with drugs, Depeche Mode got themselves back up and moved on. This album proves that they had what it takes to provide music that matters.
When I first heard Barrel of a gun, my reaction was "Cool. This album is going to continue where SoFaD left off". I was then sadly disappointed when I found it was the only track that had that edgy, angst-ridden feel to it. The rest just bored me. Since then I've come to appreciate Ultra for what it is. Depeche Mode had continued to reinvent themselves.
There are several interesting pieces that prove DM's continued relevance. Check out Home, It's No Good, Useless and The Bottom Line for some Depeche Mode that could easily be called as classic as tunes like Halo, Sometimes, and the others we all love.
I can't bring myself to give this album the five stars that so many others have. It's certainly not their best work, but it is DM and so far, that's more than enough.
If you're a casual fan or somebody who is interested in getting their feet wet, I'd recommend Violator, Black Celebration, or perhaps Some Great Reward for some older material. However, anyone who considers themselves a fan should most definitely own Ultra.
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